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Protecting Your Family from Secondhand Smoke

Posted May 19 2013 7:40pm

The Surgeon General has said that not allowing any smoking in indoor spaces is the only way to fully protect nonsmokers from breathing secondhand smoke. Separating smokers from nonsmokers (like "no smoking" sections in restaurants)‚ cleaning the air‚ and airing out buildings does not completely get rid of secondhand smoke exposure.

How you can protect your family from secondhand smoke

Take these steps to protect your kids’ health.
Do not allow anyone to smoke near your child.
Do not smoke or let others smoke in your home or car.
Use childcare providers who do not smoke.
Do not eat in restaurants that allow smoking.
Do not take your child to other indoor public places that allow smoking.
Teach children to stay away from secondhand smoke.
More and more states now have smokefree indoor air laws. See if your state is one of them.
At the same time‚ more families are making smokefree home rules.

Make Your Home Smokefree
One of the most important steps you can take to protect your health and your kids’ health is to make your home smokefree.
Kids breathe in secondhand smoke at home more than at any other place. The home is also a major place of secondhand smoke exposure for adults. Smokefree rules in homes and cars can reduce this exposure, help smokers quit and reduce the risk of teens becoming smokers.
If you are a smoker‚ the best way to protect your family from secondhand smoke is to quit smoking. In the meantime‚ you can protect your family by making your home and cars smokefree and only smoking outside. A smokefree home rule can help you quit smoking.
Take the Secondhand Smoke Quiz

The tips on this page are part of the Quit Guide available on Smokefree.gov . The guide was written with the help of ex-smokers and experts. It can help you prepare to quit and support you in the days and weeks after you quit. It also describes problems to expect when you quit. Being prepared can help you through the hard times.